Chapter 336: Chapter 336: Is This Acceptable? Are You Acceptable?
"It turns out that Miss Yan has been wronged on your behalf."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Emperor He roared angrily.
How could the scandal involving the Yan and Wei families, which was already disgraceful, involve the Imperial Family?
"How is that talking nonsense?"
"I’ve spent a great deal of effort to carefully sort out the whole sequence of events."
Ji Huo explained to Emperor He: "The Wei Family wouldn’t dare to cause trouble here at Uncle’s place, they could only swallow this matter. Now Wei Xiheng is completely ruined. What respectable family would wish to marry their daughter to him?"
"It so happened that the Governor’s wife needed money, and since Wei Xiheng was her beloved, she was willing to marry her daughter to him to compensate for the regrets. Everyone knows that Miss Yan is Dowager Yan’s favorite. Were it not for the Wei family’s relentless pressure, she might not have agreed."
With his words, he linked the three hottest versions of the story circulating in Shengjing City.
Even... without any loopholes.
Having finished, Ji Huo looked at Ji Shimin, who was stunned, "Fifth cousin sister, tell me, did you see him during the hunt?"
"I merely stumbled that time, and he happened to catch me. That was also my first time meeting him, and he was even wearing a veil!" Ji Shimin hurriedly explained.
She was furious.
Ji Shimin had never suffered such an indignity before. She became the subject of endless gossip without any warning.
Ji Huo expressed understanding: "There’s no need for excuses. I won’t dislike you for this."
"Even if you marry me in the future, you can still keep in touch with him. I won’t bother you, and you don’t bother me about the few mistresses I keep outside. If necessary, we can even cover for each other."
Ji Shimin’s eyes bulged with anger and disgust to the point of retching.
"You! On what basis!"
"Ji Huo! Do you still think you’re something special!"
"Listen well, if I were to marry, it would be to someone like Xie Xun!"
Ji Huo was taken aback, as if hearing it for the first time.
"You’re quite bold."
"That’s about enough, right now I’m the only one who doesn’t mind your past."
Ignoring Emperor He’s increasingly stern face, he said: "Cousins can’t marry by rule, but there’s always an exception. Uncle, what do you think?"
Furious beyond tolerance, Emperor He burst out: "Get out!"
"How can you talk like that! Is that how you should speak!"
"The imperial study is of utmost importance!"
"If you continue to speak recklessly and use foul language, I will reclaim your gold medal, even your father won’t be able to save you!"
Ji Huo deflated, feeling both disheartened and endearing reluctance, and had no choice but to leave, constantly looking back.
The moment he left, Ji Shimin knelt to the ground with a thud.
"Father, your son was framed this time."
"You must thoroughly investigate and restore my innocence."
Emperor He stared intensely at Ji Shimin.
How could he not know!
But he always thought more than others!
Duke Wei is a man of the Crown Prince, but what about Yan Kun?
Emperor He also recalled the frequent miscarriages of the Fourth Prince Consort.
The Yan and Wei families’ alliance, but could it be that Yan Kun intends to pledge allegiance to Ji Zhui? Or was he already Ji Zhui’s man.
So... who stirred up this storm?
The rain kept falling heavier, showing no signs of stopping.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Ji Huo collapsed in the carriage of Prince Gong Mansion.
"That scared me to death. I really worried that Uncle might agree."
"Someone like Ji Shimin, I wouldn’t take her even if she was given to me."
"You didn’t see her resisting demeanor, as if I would actually fall under her average ’beauty.’ She’s incompetent but confident in herself."
Xie Xun, sitting opposite him, chuckled lightly.
Ji Huo glared over.
"What are you laughing at!"
"This Princely Heir has sacrificed too much for all these messy affairs of yours!"
Don’t listen to him saying so, but he can’t hold back his thrill!
Manipulating public opinion was Shen Hua’s idea; after Yingwu found Ji Huo, he also went to Duke Fu’s Mansion. Once Xie Xun learned of Shen Hua’s plan, he developed other ideas.
If it was going to cause a stir, then let it be a bigger one.
Big thunder, little rain. But that’s not very interesting.
The waves under Shengjing City were tumultuous. It was time to start the prelude.
Thus, this matter wasn’t just a minor squabble between women from the start.
In the mix, those who could get involved have come, and those who haven’t been involved were forced in.
Like Ji Zhui, like the Fourth Prince Ji Wang.
Ji Huo: "Brother, what do I need to do next?"
Xie Xun: "Not urgent."
Some people will be anxious.
————
Marquis Yangling Mansion
Shen Hua half-reclined on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, listening to the rain outside, her entire being extraordinarily at ease. Seeing the panicked Yan Mi coming, she wasn’t surprised.
"Miss Shen."
Yan Mi was very anxious.
She never thought things would blow up this big.
"This matter—"
"I know what you want to say."
Shen Hua gracefully stood up.
"You want to say, you are a Yan Family woman, you share honor and disgrace together."
"You also want to say, under filial piety even if you hold grudges and hatred, she is still your mother."
The girl moved closer, giving Yan Mi a slight comforting smile.
"But I received a piece of news yesterday."
"If it were someone else, maybe they would think about keeping you in the dark, considering you’ve been confused for over a decade, better to stay confused."
"Over these years, Lady Yan must have never ceased reflecting on why the Governor’s wife treated you without any warmth of a mother-daughter relationship."
"If the heart is not made of wood or stone, how can it not feel? Why must one swallow their words and tread silently, not daring to speak?"
Shen Hua: "This piece of news, do you want to listen to it?"
This series of words caused Yan Mi’s heart to tighten; she was afraid to hear it, yet afraid to be kept in the dark forever.
She uncontrollably squeezed the handkerchief in her hand: "You... say it."
Shen Hua: "She is not your biological mother."
"Impossible!"
"If you don’t believe it, you can go back and confront her. Right now she is in a precarious position, caught between enemies. Any slight disturbance would reveal everything."
Shen Hua watched her face gradually turn pale, softly said: "Actually, you already believe me."
As she spoke, a voice from outside, Ji Qing’s voice.
"Miss Shen."
"I boldly ask you to visit Sui Courtyard."
Shen Hua just frowned, and Yan Mi, maintaining her trembling heart, quickly said: "You go ahead, I’ll also head back."
Shen Hua had Yingwu accompany her out.
The girl stepped outside, looking at the drifting heavy rain, plunged into deep thought.
If she went over, her shoes would get wet, and with a bit of carelessness, perhaps even her clothes could become soaked.
As a person of noble status, could she endure the rain?
She could not.
Cui Yun, is he worth visiting?
No! He’s! Not! Worth! It!
But Ji Qing’s presence here might mean trouble there.
She pondered for a moment and without hesitation, slammed the door shut, and walked back.
Soon, it was replaced by a compromising ’creak’ sound.
Sui Courtyard
Ying Yi solemnly stood outside the house. He didn’t dare to enter. Unexpectedly, he saw a slightly proud Shen Hua.
Shen Hua with a stern face lifted her chin: "Is he inside?"
Ying Yi: "...Yes."
Shen Hua glanced at Ji Qing.
Ji Qing rarely obsequious, pushed open the door and made a gesture of invitation.
The girl stepped in.
These few actions were so quick that Ying Yi forgot to stop her. He watched Shen Hua walk in, feeling beyond words toward Ji Qing.
"...Sir... is bathing."
Ji Qing shuddered.
Frightened, he immediately locked the door.